[Amended 5-6-2014 by Bill
No. 2014-09]
A. In the case of any electrical installation for which a permit is
required under this chapter, it shall be unlawful for any person to
maintain or allow to be maintained such installation if it was installed
without a permit and/or does not conform to the requirements of this
chapter. Exceptions: No permit or inspection shall be required to
repair or replace existing light fixtures, receptacles, switches,
ceiling fans or similar devices when the total does not exceed five
devices per structure. No permit or inspection shall be required to
replace existing individual circuit breakers or fuses where the existing
panel is not modified or replaced. No permit or inspection shall be
required to repair or replace motors or appliances when the electrical
characteristics do not change and there is no increase or decrease
in circuit ampacity or change in voltage or phasing. No permit or
inspection shall be required for wireless low voltage systems that
are 50 volts or less, that have approved third-party devices and do
not include or require permanent wiring.
B. Any person permitted to install electrical work must first secure
a permit to do so from the Department of Permits and Inspections of
Cecil County, or the department so designated by the County, before
starting any such work. Upon submittal of a permit, the applicant
must also submit a completed electrical inspection application selected
from one of the authorized electrical inspection agencies. The electrical
inspection agency of record at time of application shall be the agency
of record for the duration of the electrical permit for which it is
associated. In the case of an emergency, upon notification to the
Department of Permits and Inspections, an electrician may proceed
without permits, inspections and approval but shall acquire all such
approvals within a reasonable time as set forth by the Board.
C. It shall be unlawful for any existing electrical installations to
be maintained in a hazardous and unsafe condition. It is the responsibility
of the owner to have such hazardous and unsafe conditions corrected,
permitted and inspected in accordance with this chapter and the code.
D. Where the electrician who was originally issued a permit is removed
from the work by the owner and is being replaced by another electrician,
the owner shall notify the Department of Permits and Inspections in
writing of the proposed change. After a five-day waiting period to
verify all necessary paperwork, a new permit may be issued and at
this time the new electrician shall be required to sign documentation
assuming responsibility for the work for the entire project. The fees
for the new permit shall be the same as the original unless changes
are made.
E. In the case where an electrician has been issued a permit and does
not desire to complete the work covered by it, either in part or in
its entirely, he/she shall notify the Department of Permits and Inspections,
in writing, requesting that they be released from the responsibility
of the permit. After a five-day waiting period to verify all necessary
paperwork, a new permit may be issued, and the new electrician shall
be required to sign documentation assuming responsibility for the
entire project. The fees for the new permit shall be the same as the
original unless changes are made.
[Amended 5-6-2014 by Bill
No. 2014-09]
A. There are three classes of electrical licenses as defined below:
(1) Master: an individual, licensed by the County, who has the experience,
knowledge and skill to provide electrical services in all aspects
of the electrical trade in a manner that complies with applicable
plans, specifications, codes or laws. An individual qualified to provide
any service in the electrical trade, including the installation, repair
or alteration of any electrical wiring, fixture, appliance, apparatus,
raceway or conduit that generates, transmits, transforms, or uses
electrical energy in any form for light, heat, power, or communication.
(2) Limited: an individual licensed by the County to do one or more of
the following categories of electrical work as specified on the issued
license. A limited electrician's license authorizes the licensee
to install, maintain and repair the type of electrical equipment as
specified on the license category in which the license has been issued.
Those categories are:
(a)
Low voltage: allows for the installation and maintenance of
low-voltage electrical systems that are 50 volts or less; alarm systems,
signaling systems, telephone, communication systems, intercom, sound
systems, radio, television, television antennas, cable television,
building automation systems, automatic temperature control, satellite
systems, etc.;
(b)
HVAC: allows for the installation of heating, ventilation, air-conditioning
equipment, water conditioners, hot water heaters, pumps and temperature
control wiring (excludes electric baseboard heaters). Allows for the
HVAC electrician to install feeder and branch circuit wiring which
shall not exceed 100 amps, and control wiring, from the point of distribution
to and including the equipment or appliance being installed.
(c)
Plumbing: allows for the installation of a branch circuit not
to exceed 60 amps and control wiring for the installation of any control
or part of a domestic water system.
(d)
Signs: allows for the installation and maintenance of illuminated
signs, license allows licensee to install up to a one-hundred-amp
branch circuit from the point of distribution to and including the
sign being installed.
(3) Shelved: an individual, licensed by the County, whose license is
currently inactive and where no electrical services may be provided
within any category.
B. Examination. The Board of Electrical Examiners of Cecil County shall
conduct written examinations of eligible applicants for the licenses
of master and limited electricians. All applicants are subject to
all requirements and laws as set forth by the State of Maryland.
(1) Master license: An applicant seeking to take the written examination
for the license of master electrician must have received his or her
eligibility approval notification from the State of Maryland and/or
the approving testing institution recognized by the State of Maryland
prior to submittal of the application to the Board. The applicant
shall submit to the Board, at least 30 days prior to the examination
date, an application form provided by the Board which shall include
the following:
(a)
Verification of eligibility approval from the State of Maryland
and/or the approved testing institution for the state.
(b)
Current photo identification with signature (e.g., driver's
license).
(c)
At the time of application, a nonrefundable fee in the amount
as set forth in the Fee Schedule adopted by the County, paid to the
County.
(d)
Passing grade. In order to qualify for a license, the applicant
shall correctly answer at least 70% of the questions asked or a passing
grade as set forth by the State of Maryland of the questions asked
on the examination.
(e)
All approvals or denials of such applications shall be mailed
to the address given by the applicant on the application.
(2) Limited license: An applicant seeking to take the written examination
for a limited license electrician shall have been regularly and principally
employed full time for at least three years preceding submission of
an application for a limited license examination, under the direction
and supervision of a licensed limited electrician or master electrician
in the particular license classification for which the applicant is
applying. An applicant must meet all qualifications as set forth by
the Maryland Uniformed Electrical Licensing Examination Committee,
Inc., or by the State of Maryland or of an approving authority of
the state. Cecil County has four classes of limited licenses; HVAC,
low voltage, plumbing and signs. The applicant shall submit to the
Board, at least 30 days prior to the examination date, an application
form provided by the Board which shall include the following:
(a)
Such current information as to experience, education and training
in or related to the construction, maintenance, installation or repair
as it relates to the particular type of license requested.
(b)
Supporting documentation of service and supervision by the persons
under whom the applicant served/worked.
(c)
Current photo identification with signature (e.g., driver's
license).
(d)
At the time of application, a nonrefundable fee in the amount
as set forth in the fee schedule adopted by the County, paid to the
County.
(e)
Passing grade. In order to qualify for a license, the applicant
shall correctly answer at least 70% of the questions asked on the
examination or a passing grade as set forth by the State of Maryland
of the questions asked on the examination.
(f)
All approvals or denials of such applications shall be mailed
to the address given by the applicant on the application.
(3) Any applicant who fails to pass any examination or re-examination
may take a re-examination. The applicant must apply and pay a nonrefundable
fee as set forth in the Fee Schedule adopted by the County.
(4) Notification. The Board shall notify an applicant who has taken the examination for a license required by this subsection, as soon as practicable after the examination, of the grade received on the examination. An applicant who has received a passing grade shall be notified that, upon payment to the County with the appropriate license fee, application and insurance information in accordance to §
191-15D(2)(e), the applicant shall be issued a license. Applicants who fail to obtain a license within 180 days from notification by the Board of a passing grade will not be able to obtain a license without re-examination.
(5) Misconduct during examination. The use of unauthorized material or
other detrimental conduct by an applicant during an examination shall
be cause for immediate rejection of the applicant/application and
bars the applicant from re-examination for a period of at least one
year.
C. Reciprocal licensing. Subject to the provisions of this section,
the Board of Electrical Examiners may grant a waiver of any examination
under this section, provided that the applicant is reciprocating a
license of the same class, type and status as the license that the
individual holds in a local jurisdiction within the State of Maryland
or a Maryland statewide electrical license, provided that the licensee
is in good standing and there are no outstanding violations or records
thereof of the regulations of the specific jurisdiction or the State
of Maryland. The licensee may only represent one entity. Licensing
is subject to all requirements and laws as set forth by the State
of Maryland.
(1) Reciprocal license classes are:
(2) Obtaining a reciprocal license. An applicant requesting a Cecil County
license by reciprocating a state license or a license of another jurisdiction
within the state must submit to the Board.
(a)
An application form supplied by the Board of Electrical Examiners
for said license category in which they are applying.
(b)
At the time of application, a nonrefundable fee in the amount
as set forth in the fee schedule adopted by the County, paid to the
County.
(c)
Current photo identification with signature (e.g., driver's
license).
(d)
If reciprocating a license from a jurisdiction within the State
of Maryland, the applicant must provide a current copy of the license
from the specific jurisdiction. The license must reflect the licensee's
name and business name for which he is applying as it is listed on
the license. In addition to the copy, a letter of good standing from
the licensing jurisdiction that said jurisdiction has licensed the
applicant by examination for a license of the same type in which he
or she is applying. Verification must also include the following:
[4]
Issued and expiration date.
[5]
Approved examination date.
[6]
Business name as it appears on license.
[7]
Statement that the applicant is in good standing within the
specific jurisdiction and has no outstanding violations.
[8]
If reciprocating a license from the State of Maryland, the applicant
must provide a current copy of the license issued by the state. The
license must reflect the licensee's name and business name for
which he is applying as it is listed on the state license.
(e)
All applicants shall submit a current certificate of general
liability and property insurance in the amounts as set forth by the
State of Maryland. The certificate must list the Board as certificate
holder, and must reflect the licensee and, where applicable, the entity
that the licensee is representing. Notice of cancellation of general
liability insurance or property insurance shall be forwarded to the
Board by both the applicant and the insurer within 10 days after the
cancellation date. Any license holder whose insurance expires and
who fails to renew such insurance shall have his/her ability to perform
work suspended. Inactive license holders are exempt from this requirement.
D. License renewal. The County shall mail a renewal application to the
licensee at the last known address as was indicated on his or her
previous license. All licenses issued under the provisions of this
chapter will expire on April 30 of each year. A licensee may renew
an expired license within 60 days by meeting all requirements and
paying nonrefundable fees as set forth in the fee schedule adopted
by the County, paid to the County. Exception: all licenses that have
open permits must renew by April 30 and maintain an active license.
Licenses not renewed by June 30 of the licensing year will lapse.
Reissuance of a lapsed license is by examination only or in accordance
to the rules and regulations as set forth by the State of Maryland.
The licensee may only represent one entity.
(1) Active license: A license may be placed on active status and an active
license issued to the licensee upon submission to the County of the
following:
(a)
Completed renewal application form supplied by the Board.
(b)
At the time of application, a nonrefundable fee in the amount
as set forth in the fee schedule adopted by the County, paid to the
County.
(c)
Current photo identification with signature (e.g., driver's
license).
(e)
Provide verification of five hours of Board-approved continuing
education taken during the preceding year prior to the current year's
license renewal.
(f)
For licenses obtained by reciprocity, the applicant shall provide
a current copy of his or her active Maryland statewide and/or Maryland
home county electrical license depending on how it was obtained; the
license must reflect the individual, company, firm or corporation
for whom the County license has been assigned.
(2) Shelved license. A license may be placed on shelved status and a
shelved license issued to the licensee upon submission to the County
of the following:
(a)
Completed renewal application form supplied by the Board.
(b)
At the time of application, a nonrefundable fee in the amount
as set forth in the fee schedule adopted by the County, paid to the
County.
(c)
Current photo identification with signature (e.g., driver's
license).
(d)
Provide verification of five hours of Board-approved continuing
education taken during the preceding year prior to the current year's
license renewal.
(e)
For licenses obtained by reciprocity, the applicant shall provide
a current copy of his or her Maryland statewide and/or Maryland home
county electrical license depending on how it was obtained.
(f)
No license shall be deemed shelved unless all work for which
permits have been issued have been completed and have received final
approval by the inspection agency of record.
(3) Reactivation of shelved license: A shelved license may be activated
by the licensee upon submission to the County of the following:
(a)
Completed change of status form supplied by the County.
(b)
At the time of application, a nonrefundable fee in the amount
as set forth in the fee schedule adopted by the County, paid to the
County.
(c)
Current photo identification with signature (e.g., driver's
license).
(e)
For licenses obtained by reciprocity, the applicant shall provide
a current copy of his or her active Maryland statewide and/or Maryland
home county electrical license depending on how it was obtained. The
license must reflect the individual, company, firm or corporation
for whom the County license has been assigned.
(f)
For licenses obtained by County reciprocity, a letter of good standing from the jurisdiction from which the license was issued in accordance with §
191-15D(2)(d).
E. Any licensee shall be placed on shelved (inactive) status or his
or her license suspended if at any time during the licensing period
the licensee fails to meet the requirements as set forth in this chapter
for active status licenses.
F. All electricians licensed in Cecil County are subject to all requirements
and laws in accordance to the rules and regulations as set forth by
the State of Maryland.
G. Denial of an application.
(1) The Board of Electrical Examiners may deny an application if the
applicant fails to meet any of the criteria for licensing set forth
by said Board under the provisions of this code, and/or for falsifying
any information submitted on any application.
(2) If an application for a license is denied, notification will be sent
within 15 days to the address provided by the applicant on the application.
H. Loss of license holder.
(1) If a partnership, firm or corporation suffers the loss of a license
holder due to death or illness, the partnership, firm or corporation
shall notify the Board of Electrical Examiners, in writing, with supporting
documentation within 14 days of the loss of the license holder.
(2) The Board shall schedule an emergency meeting immediately upon receiving
notice from the partnership, firm or corporation once a quorum can
be assembled. The partnership, firm or corporation may continue to
operate without the presence of the license holder, provided that
the partnership, firm or corporation continues to employ the same
personnel with the exception of the license holder and maintain all
required insurance certification. At the emergency meeting, the Board
may grant an extension of the license for a period of time to be determined
on a case-by-case basis.
(3) If the partnership, firm or corporation allows the extended license
to expire without having a person obtain a license or having in its
employ a person with a license, then said partnership, firm or corporation
shall cease and desist immediately all electrical work for which a
license is required under this chapter within the County.
I. Assignment of license. If at any time a licensee changes the company,
firm or corporation whom he or she has assigned his or her license,
the following must be submitted:
(1) Completed change of assignment form supplied by the County.
(2) At the time of application, a nonrefundable fee in the amount as
set forth in the fee schedule adopted by the County, paid to the County.
(3) Current photo identification with signature (e.g., driver's
license).
(5) For licenses obtained by reciprocity, the applicant shall provide
a current copy of his or her active Maryland statewide and/or Maryland
home county electrical license depending on how it was obtained. The
license must reflect the individual, company, firm or corporation
for whom the County license has been assigned. The licensee can only
represent one entity.
(6) If open permits exist, then those permits will be closed and work will cease and desist until new permits can be filed. The County Department of Permits and Inspections shall be notified in accordance with §
191-14E.
[Amended 11-13-2012 by Ord. No. 2012-12]
Whenever in the judgment of the Code Official, Emergency Services
Director, State Fire Marshal, Local Fire Chief or Incident Commander,
or his/her designee, there exists a potential situation which requires
the inspection by an electrical inspector or electrical inspection
agency, an inspector shall be called from the list of approved agencies
or inspectors, and any charges for such inspections shall be forwarded
to the County for disposition of any related costs.
The County shall appoint such inspectors or approve and license
such inspection agencies as defined in the code as the County so desires
to protect and promote the health, safety and welfare of the citizens
of Cecil County.
A. One or more nongovernmental organizations may be designated from
time to time as the approved inspection agency or agencies.
[Amended 11-13-2012 by Ord. No. 2012-12]
B. In determining the qualifications of an inspection agency, the County,
in conjunction with the recommendation of the Board of Electrical
Examiners, shall consider the record of the inspection agency in any
jurisdiction within or without this state, as well as other objective
indicators, including but not limited to certifications issued by
the Department of Economic and Community Development relating to the
qualifications of the agency to inspect industrialized buildings and
mobile homes as defined in the Industrialized Buildings and Mobile
Homes Act.
C. The agency shall be approved to perform inspections as a nongovernmental
inspection agency under the provisions of Public Safety Article, § 12-605,
of the Annotated Code of Maryland, and COMAR Title 29, Department
of State Police, Subtitle 07, Office of the State Fire Marshal, 29.07.01,
Nongovernmental Electrical Inspectors.
D. No inspection agency shall be designated as the approved inspection
agency for Cecil County until the inspectors of such agency shall
have obtained a qualification certificate or such other evidence of
competence as may from time to time be issued by the Office of the
State Fire Marshal.
E. Each qualifying agency shall pay an annual inspection agency license
fee as set forth by a fee schedule established by the County.
F. Each agency performing inspections within Cecil County shall be required
to carry errors and omissions/professional liability insurance in
an amount established by the County.
G. Each inspector employed by an approved inspection agency who conducts
inspections in Cecil County must place his/her license on inactive
status or shelve such license as required by Business Occupations
and Professions Article, Title 6, § 6-313, of the Annotated
Code of Maryland and must be registered as an inspector with the Board.
Such registration shall include registration of his/her name, address,
home telephone number and/or cell phone number and such identifying
data as the Board shall require.
[Amended 11-13-2012 by Ord. No. 2012-12]
H. The County, upon recommendation from the Board of Electrical Examiners
or circumstances beyond the scope and control of the Board that are
or would negatively impact the safety, welfare and operational capacity
of the citizens, is hereby authorized to employ County electrical
inspectors. Upon employment of such inspector(s), the nongovernmental
organization heretofore designated as the inspection agency under
this chapter shall be discharged, and the duties set forth in this
chapter shall be performed by the County electrical inspector(s).
All permit and license fees shall be established by resolution
by the County Council as provided for by law. Copies of the fee schedule
shall be available in the offices of the Cecil County Council, Board
of Electrical Examiners and the Department of Permits and Inspections.
Any fees for inspections shall be established and assessed by the
agency providing the inspection service.
[Amended 5-6-2014 by Bill
No. 2014-09]
After July 1, 1978, no electrical light or power company shall
attach its power lines or electric meters to any consumer's property
or portion thereof within the borders of Cecil County unless the work
has been installed by a master electrician licensed under this chapter
and until a temporary or permanent meter cut-in card has been issued
by an authorized electrical inspection agency or inspector and sent
to the power company furnishing power to the consumer's property.
Any temporary or permanent cut-in card may be revoked by a majority
vote of the Board of Electrical Examiners upon presentation to the
Board of sufficient evidence that continued use of electrical energy
will result in damage to persons or property.
When it is necessary to make an inspection to enforce the provisions
of this chapter, or where the electrical inspector has reasonable
cause to believe that there exists in a structure or upon a premises
a condition which is contrary to or in violation of this code which
makes the structure or premises unsafe, dangerous or hazardous, the
electrical inspector or his designee is authorized to enter the structure
or premises at reasonable times to inspect or perform the duties imposed
by this code, provided that if such structure is occupied, credentials
shall be presented to the occupant and entry shall be requested. If
such structure or premises is unoccupied, the electrical inspector
shall first make reasonable effort to locate the owner or other person
having charge or control of the structure or premises and request
entry. If entry is refused, the electrical inspector shall have recourse
to the remedies provided by law to secure entry.